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Former deputy opposition leader Sam Groth will exit parliament next week and force his electorate to the polls just months before the state election.
Groth, a former professional tennis player, had previously announced his intention to retire from politics and not contest the November election.
However, his decision to vacate the seat of Nepean early will now trigger a byelection in his electorate on the Mornington Peninsula in the coming months.
Opposition Leader Jess Wilson is due to address the media later this afternoon.
Groth, who was not present in question time in Parliament on Wednesday afternoon when news of his resignation broke, said he was resigning to pursue other opportunities.
“It has been an honour to serve the people of Nepean, and I sincerely thank them for the trust they placed in me for the opportunity to represent our community,” he said in a statement.
“I wish Jess and the Liberal team all the very best for the November election.
“Most importantly, I thank my family, my wife Britt and our twin boys, for their unwavering love and support.”
Groth first announced he would be leaving Parliament in January, when he blindsided colleagues and castigated the Liberal team for infighting.
The member for Nepean and his wife, Brittany, launched court action against the Herald Sun newspaper last year over a series of articles that made spurious claims about the way their relationship began.
The case settled in November, with the Groths receiving an apology from the newspaper and an undisclosed payout.
Groth won Nepean off Labor at the 2022 election, where he achieved a 7.1 per cent swing.
More to come
Rachel Eddie is a Victorian state political reporter for The Age. Contact her at rachel.eddie@theage.com.au, rachel.eddie@protonmail.com, or via Signal at @RachelEddie.99Connect via X or email.
Daniella White is a state political reporter for The Age. Contact her at da.white@nine.com.auConnect via X or email.From our partners
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